Indonesia Defends Visa Denial to Israeli Gymnasts Amid Global Olympic Backlash

Indonesia's Minister of Sport Erick Thohir has responded to criticism after the country denied visas to the Israeli national gymnastics team for the World Championships in Jakarta, sparking global backlash and Olympic consequences. Thohir stated that Indonesia respects human rights, but also asserted the country's right to decide which athletes can participate. He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and aimed to avoid any potential conflicts between spectators from different countries. Thohir acknowledged that his government may have handled the situation clumsily, but insisted it did not intentionally target Israel.